Sunil Gavaskar includes two star spinners in his predicted XI for Boxing Day Test against SA

The Indian cricket team will now face South Africa on December 26, 2023, after winning their ODI series. On Thursday, the ODI team, led by KL Rahul, won the series 2-1. Major veterans, including Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah, will return after the ODI World Cup, making the two-match Test series critical.

3 things you need to know 

• India tied the T20I series against SA by 1-1 
• India beat South Africa in the 3rd ODI by 78 runs 
• India triumphed in the ODI series by 2-1

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Sunil Gavaskar picks his XI against South Africa 

Despite the historically bowler-friendly conditions forecast in Centurion, great Indian batsman Sunil Gavaskar pushes for a risky tactic, recommending that two spinners be included in the starting XI. Gavaskar believes that the experienced spin combo of Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin will be key components of India's squad for the first Test match.

Gavaskar advocates a mix of three pacers and two spinners for India during a conversation on Star Sports. Gavaskar selects Jasprit Bumrah, Mukesh Kumar, and Mohammed Siraj as the best three pacers from the available roster in this recommended lineup. This strategy approach underlines Gavaskar's belief in India's spinners, emphasising the importance of utilising their abilities even in situations that normally favour fast bowling.

As India prepares to play South Africa in what promises to be an exciting series, the argument over team selection adds a fascinating element to the story, with Gavaskar's point of view adding a riveting twist to the expected cricketing duel. Sunil Gavaskar picked his playing XI:

Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
 

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India vs South Africa Test squad

Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Abhimanyu Easwaran, KL Rahul (wicket-keeper), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (Vice Captain), Prasidh Krishna, KS Bharat (wicket-keeper).